Sunday, September 27, 2009

With The Family

This is Dana (along with Syd and Shannon).

She was ordained to ministry today; meaning that her home church ceremonially confirmed that she is "called" to serve God with her work and her life, and that she is, indeed, doing so. Baptist-style ordination is a mixture of formal prayers and responsive readings and informal speaking by people who were significant in the life of the one being ordained. It was a unique day for Dana, where she was the center of attention, affection and affirmation.

It was a unique day for me, too. Dana had spoken with me to personally invite me to attend, and followed up with a written invitation by mail.

I accepted. I drove to Caroline County and walked into a beautiful, rural Baptist church. It was slightly awkward.

Slightly awkward because Dana and I have a unique relationship.

We're both "Mrs. Brawley".

Dana met and married Lonnie - my kids' dad - last year.

As we have carefully and tentatively navigated the waters of interacting, managing kids' schedules and figuring out how to communicate, we discovered something interesting: we liked each other.

I mean, I really like this woman. I respect her and admire her. She's funny, focused on ministry and passionate. She cares deeply for my children. And she takes good care of the man who was once the most important person in my life.

I swear, I can't sort it out. She and I both acknowledge that it's very weird.

But it is what it is.

I came to the service anticipating that I would simply be a witness. I found a place in the next-to-last pew, in the very back of the church, planning to stay out of sight and out of mind, while still honoring the invitation.

But Dana sent Sarah back to get me. She had saved me a seat, up front.

With the family.

At the end of the ordination service, all those present were invited to speak privately with Dana as she kneeled at the front of the church. Church members, family, friends, co-workers, fellow pastors - for an hour, people streamed by to whisper a prayer, speak words of encouragement, offer a hug. There were many tears. As I watched others stream by, I considered what I should do.

In the end, I went forward and knelt before the woman who is now married to the man that I married almost 20 years ago. We shared words and a hug.

It's weird. It's awkward at times.

But more than anything, to me it's a great demonstration of the reality of this statement:

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8.28 (NLT)

And I believe it is proof that grace covers everything, if you just open your heart and let it in.

I don't know if anybody has ever figured out what this sort of relationship ought to be like. I'm just gonna roll with it. It's working, and it's good.

And I'm grateful.

8 comments:

Ktea said...

:)

Connie Kottmann said...

tears in my eyes. Your story brought this verse to my mind:

Luke 14:10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Maybe the word you are looking for, to describe your relationship is:

Friends

Dana is indeed a wonderful person. And I am thankful that God is doing so much powerful work through the entire Brawley family.

Anonymous said...

Hey Hornsby,

I am so proud of the woman you are! The feelings you experienced at that service is so cool because the God in you saw the God in Dana and you mirrored to each other how He wants it to be and how it will be when we get to Heaven!

Lonnie is a twiced blessed man, and I am so thankful for the two women who are such a blessing to the children and countless others.

I love you Sis!

Kelley said...

So. Proud. Of. You. Period.

xo

mary (elizabeth) said...

I love this.

Wow.

We serve an incredible God and I think that, yesterday, His love, grace, newness, etc was exemplified in two extraodinary women. How incredible that your children get to see this interaction. The lessons are too many to count.

Love it.

Love you.


"How incredible is it that we serve a God that we can not exagerate."~Francis Chan

Leighann said...

This is an awesome post Beth. I love it and I understand.

annie said...

Wow, Beth! What an awesome thing this is!

Bill said...

For someone who has followed the "evolution of Beth Brawley" from early posts about the separation through this most recent and beautiful development...it gives credence to the equation I believe really works. It goes: Love + time = Amazing results! Your pursuit of Christ has continued to lead you through an amazing adventure that is faith and hope giving for us looking on. I continue to learn huge lessons from you.